Most corporate retreats last between 2–4 days. The first and last days are always a little different, but the days spent in silence in between are very similar.
Once you arrive at the corporate retreat, you are shown to your room. There are usually snacks in the common area where you are able to chat with your colleagues. Often, there is a team meeting and a communal dinner before entering the silent portion of the retreat.
The introductory discussion before going into silence can take up to 1–2 hours, depending on the size of the corporate group. During this time, the facilitators explain the ins and outs of silence: how the schedule is organized, what time you wake up in the morning, how you know when there is an activity, what you are not allowed to do on a silent retreat, what to do if you have a question, and how to sit in meditation.
On a silent retreat with Silent Focus, the experience is very similar to a 10-day Vipassana retreat in that you are not allowed to read, write, or listen to music. You are asked to give up your technology and trust the process of silence. We also encourage you not to make gestures, such as smiling at other team members, as this can provoke a response. The point of a silent retreat is to go inward and connect with oneself and with those around you in silence.
At a business retreat in silence, food is an important aspect and often adheres to a sattvic diet. A sattvic diet is plant-based and excludes onion, garlic, caffeine, refined sugars, and gluten. This aids digestion and does not activate the nervous system, allowing you to stay relaxed and calm during meditation and silence. As everyone is in silence, food is often prepared buffet-style, with name tags for each item so you can choose what you would like to eat. You may sit anywhere on the premises, depending on the location, and are asked to bring your dishes back and place them in the dishwasher. Meals are eaten alone rather than as a group, as eating together in silence can feel awkward.
After the introduction concludes, several different styles of short meditations are explained and practiced, such as breath awareness, mantra concentration, and Zen meditation.
A Typical Silent Corporate Retreat Schedule
- 6:45 am – Wake-up call
- 7:00 am – Breathwork
- 7:15 am – Meditation
- 8:00 am – Yoga
- 9:00 am – Breakfast
- 11:00 am – Meditation
- 12:00 pm – Art project or hike
- 1:30 pm – Lunch
- 4:00 pm – Meditation
- 5:00 pm – Self-massage with ball rolling, Yoga Nidra, restorative yoga, or breathwork
- 7:00 pm – Dinner
- 8:30 pm – Meditation
- 9:00 pm – Retire to sleep
Before each activity, a Tibetan gong alerts you that an activity is about to take place. You will go to the designated meeting space, whether outside or in the meditation room. All activities are optional. At times, you may not feel like participating in every meditation, or you may prefer to nap, jog, or rest during a scheduled activity. We encourage every employee to listen to themselves and participate in the activities that resonate with them. Generally, because silence can feel boring and many team members appreciate having structure, most participants take part in nearly all activities. For a list of all the possible activities at a corporate silent retreats visit the corporate retreat page.
Each guest will have a different experience, and it is difficult to know what to expect when attending a silent retreat with your company. You may feel uncomfortable at first, as you are not allowed to smile at or make eye contact with other team members. This can feel very strange for some people. Introverted employees may feel relieved and enjoy getting to know their teammates in silence, without conversation. With ample free time, you may enjoy strolling through the garden, sitting in a sunbeam, or perhaps taking a cold swim in the pool. Most corporate silent retreats take place in nature, allowing you to go on long hikes and enjoy being at one with the trees, birds, and insects in your spare time.
Feel free to watch the podcast in which the founder of Silent Focus, Heather Anderson, explains what to expect at a corporate silent retreat:
What Happens to Your Mind on a Silent Retreat
It is difficult to predict what will happen in your mind during a silent retreat. It largely depends on how you are feeling when you arrive. If you have recently experienced a death in the family, a divorce, or a difficult breakup, silence may feel especially challenging. In daily life, we often push away uncomfortable thoughts and distract ourselves from what we do not want to face. On a silent retreat, this avoidance does not work very well, as there is little to distract you from your inner world.
We encourage guests to be open to whatever arises and to gently work through their thoughts, while also avoiding the trap of following every story the mind creates especially during meditation.
Crying is a common occurrence on a silent retreat. You may cry during meditation, yoga, or even while walking outside alone. Crying is a form of release, and as a silent retreat involves deep self-care, emotional release can be part of the process. Because each experience is unique, it is best to arrive open-minded and without expectations.
On a four-day silent retreat, the first two days are often the most difficult. After the halfway point, things usually become easier. Seated meditation feels more familiar, thoughts become easier to manage, and knowing that the silence will soon end can bring a sense of relief.
How a Silent Retreat Concludes
At the end of a silent retreat, there is a gentle closing ceremony in which a rolling mantra, “Aum,” is chanted to formally end the silence. The facilitators share their reflections and then invite guests to share if they wish. Sharing is always optional. This is a safe and supportive space where employees can express what arose for them during the silence.
At times, deeply personal and profound experiences are shared, and the atmosphere can become emotional. This closing is often a moment of genuine connection, as employees realize that others may have had similar insights or can deeply understand one another’s experiences.
The facilitators also explain how to continue a meditation practice at home and discuss precautions around re-entering daily life, including managing noise and other sensory triggers.
After the closing, there is a communal meal followed by another team meeting.
For more information contact the Silent Focus team and how we can create an amazing corporate silent retreat for your business.
